Want to do some delicious holiday baking? Try something beyond traditional cookies with these fun recipes.
Peanut Brittle
Oh, how we love this holiday classic! A note about making the base caramel: though the recipe says to cook the caramel to 340o, the hard crack stage needed for toffee is actually anywhere between 295o and 310o.
Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge
Everyone loves a good, rich hunk of fudge, but what they won’t expect is a delightful Mexican-inspired addition of cinnamon. Adding a few teaspoons of the spice will take your chocolate fudge to the next level!
Giant Peanut Butter Blossom
This fan-favorite cookie gets a giant makeover thanks to huge proportions and a whopping 7-ounce Hershey’s kiss. You’ll win the cookie swap for sure with this head-turning cookie cake!
Chocolate Toffee
This is the perfect blend of a chocolate bar, toffee, and a brittle. Though the recipe calls for restaurant-grade ingredients such as Valrhona cocoa powder and Marcona almonds, feel free to substitute for what you can find in your grocery store. Both Hershey’s and Ghirardelli make excellent, affordable Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
Chocolate Truffles
Who among us doesn’t love chocolate truffles? They may seem intimidating to make, but this Alton Brown recipe makes it incredibly easy! Plus, it’s mostly “hands-off” while the truffle mixture chills in the refrigerator, so it won’t take all day to make.
You might also like: Try Out These Helpful Holiday Decorating Tips
Meringues
Though meringues, and meringue in general, can seem intimidating, it’s easier than you think! These little cookies are light and airy, but pack a lot of sweetness! A few tips to help you achieve the perfect meringue:
- Wipe the bowl of your stand mixer out with lemon juice and a paper towel to remove any residual fat from previous bakes.
- Be generous with the cream of tartar – it really helps meringue whip to stiff peaks.
- Wait to add your sugar until your egg whites are foamy, and don’t worry about using “superfine” sugar.
- Stiff peaks are achieved when you can dip the whisk into the bowl, pull it up, and the meringue on the whisk and in the bowl says exactly as it is, and no tips fold over. It may take longer than six minutes.
You can find dozens of more holiday baking ideas here!
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.